The first panel discussion dubbed “Promoting Regional Integration through MSME Value Chains” was conducted in Geneva by COMESA and attended by various stakeholders from all over the world.

This was on the sidelines of the 2019 Aid for Trade Global Review.

Panelists included, the Secretary General, Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, Permanent Secretary for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Malawi, Dr Ken Ndala , and International Trade Centre Deputy Executive Secretary Dorothy Tembo. Others were Executive Director, Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute, Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija and Chief Executive, Southern Africa, Trade Development Bank, Gloria Mamba.

The discussion was moderated by the Coordinator for COMESA Aid for Trade Unit, Hope Situmbeko.

Addressing the audience, Secretary General emphasized the need for the region to embrace technology in the development of regional and global value chains.

Ms Kapwepwe added that the development of value chains in the COMESA region should adopt a sequential model of implementation which will ensure that the region adopts the most important issues.